Academy prop Josh McNulty will leave Gloucester at the end of the season to join Harlequins.

McNulty, 23, has made just four first team appearances for the Cherry and Whites and will be learning under Graham Rowntree, the former England prop who is part of the British and Irish Lions coaching setup, and ex-Wales and Lions international Adam Jones, who is assisting Rowntree in his role as player-coach at Harlequins.

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Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston said: “We have been looking out for a young tight-head prop who we believe can be moulded into a quality Premiership player one day and we feel that Josh possesses the attributes for that to happen.

Graham Rowntree and Adam Jones

“Under the outstanding coaching skills of Graham Rowntree and Adam Jones, I am sure Josh will make the necessary strides.”

McNulty, formerly of Coventry and Worcester Warriors, has featured for Gloucester United in the A-League this season and his only first team appearance came as a replacement in the Anglo-Welsh Cup win over Newport Gwent Dragons.

He also made three appearances from the bench in the European Challenge Cup last season, making his debut against Worcester in December 2015, and played against a star-studded Barbarians side.

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Gloucester have bolstered their tight-head options this season with the signing of Fraser Balmain from Leicester Tigers, while there are high hopes for Academy player Ciaran Knight, the England Under-20 international who was an unused replacement in the Premiership win over Sale last weekend.

Harlequins, who are currently one point ahead of Gloucester in the Premiership with both clubs fighting for a Champions Cup spot, also announced that Academy back-row forward Archie White has had his contract extended by a further year.